The Big Empty

SHORTLISTED FOR THE CWA IAN FLEMING STEEL DAGGER 2026

HE DISAPPEARED. SHE NEVER STOPPED LOOKING. Private investigator Elvis Cole and his enigmatic partner Joe Pike face a cryptic case and a terrifyingly unpredictable killer in this twisty, edge-of-your-seat thriller from #1 New York Times bestselling author Robert Crais.

‘Robert Crais has mastered the fine art of storytelling’ James Patterson
‘Hands down the best book I’ve read this year. Simply incredible’ M. W. Craven

When influencer Traci Beller hires PI Elvis Cole to find her father, who has been missing for ten years and presumed to have walked out on his family, the case seems like it will stay cold.

But in Rancha, nothing stays buried forever.

What starts as a search for answers twists into a deadly race against time, as victims become predators, and predators become prey.

With ex-Marine Joe Pike by his side, Elvis follows Tommy’s trail into a darkness that will challenge his loyalty to his clients—and to himself.

The truth is waiting in The Big Empty. But can Elvis survive what he finds?

Readers love The Big Empty . . . (5 star reviews*****)
'The Big Empty is one of my top favorite 2025 mystery novels!'
'Once I started reading this, I couldn't put it down'
'This book has everything you love about Elvis Cole and Joe Pike'
'Five stars all the way. Highly recommended'
'My one word review for this one would be "wow!"'